By Raquel Reichard for Mic, cross-posted with permission
When I was in elementary school, I started dieting. I'd drink my mother's protein shakes and eat off-brand, low-fat frozen entrees. In seventh grade, I decided I just wouldn't eat at all.
It worked for a while, but by high school I realized I could have a full meal — so … [Read more...]

By Elissa Washuta
This piece originally published on Tumblr and cross-posted with permission
The body of 15-year-old Tina Fontaine, a member of Sagkeeng First Nation, was pulled from the Red River in Winnipeg on August 17. Her murder has brought about an important conversation about the widespread violence against First … [Read more...]

By Allison Epstein
If you’ve been following us here at Adios Barbie for a while, or if you were here with us for one special day this February, you know that an important part of our mission is to expand the conversation society currently allows about our bodies and ourselves. Without diverse and accurate representation, we risk … [Read more...]

By Melissa A. Fabello
So, I’ve been doing a lot of talks on media literacy lately. In the past six weeks alone, I’ve done presentations and panels on media literacy at Carroll University, Widener University, Temple University, and for Women’s Way in Philadelphia. People are really into it. So I thought maybe it was about time to … [Read more...]

By Hannah Giorgis
This piece was originally published at Youngist.org and can be read in its original context here.
It’s no secret that I am a Lupita Nyong’o fan girl. She is gorgeous, graceful, and certifiably ***flawless.
The actress gained worldwide attention for her heart-wrenching portrayal of the enslaved Patsey in … [Read more...]

By Allison Epstein
Confession: while the goal for many people during the New Year is to give up our vices, I will never turn my back on TLC’s Say Yes To The Dress. Yes, after a steady diet of feminist literature and blogging, it’s difficult to silence the running commentary in the back of my head. “Oh, don’t get a veil, … [Read more...]

By Allison Epstein
Ah, the selfie. The autobiography of the photographic world. The 2013 Word of the Year for the Oxford English Dictionary (or OED). And the subject of many a heated debate. It’s difficult to escape its influence, either in your Facebook news feed or in the mainstream media.
The OED estimates that the usage … [Read more...]

By the White Noise Collective
They’re ba-ack! (shudder) With Halloween quickly approaching, and costume shops like Spirit Halloween opening their doors, many of us are cringing at the thought of another Halloween full of racism, sexism, heterosexism and the full range of offensive apparel we annually witness.
In response, we … [Read more...]

By Gabby Vachon
For the last decade, The Disney Channel has successfully launched the careers of the most popular teen superstars. But are these young Hollywood starlets getting thinner, and what message does that send young viewers?
I was perusing Tumblr when I found this picture of the three "generations" of Disney … [Read more...]

By Allison Epstein and Erin McKelle
Looking for a reason to celebrate October 11 other than it finally being Friday? How about the Second Annual International Day of the Girl?
Created in 2011 by the United Nations to “recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world,” the Day of the Girl provides … [Read more...]